Speaking notes for Hubert T. Lacroix, President and CEO, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the future Maison de Radio-Canada in Montreal

October 1, 2017

Hubert T. Lacroix, President and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada, spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony for the future Maison de Radio-Canada in Montreal. Minister of Canadian Heritage Mélanie Joly, Mayor of Montreal Denis Coderre and President of Broccolini Roger Plamondon also attended this symbolic event.

It’s a tremendous honour for me to welcome you on the site that will house the future Maison de Radio-Canada! I’ve been dreaming about this project for over a decade and we’ve worked tirelessly to make it happen. And it was a tall order: How were we going to transform this site at the gateway to Montreal’s downtown core – this great creative hub – into a public space of the future?

I’m extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished – proud of all these people who had the necessary vision, ambition and energy to carry this project forward. To you, I say, “Thank you.”

I also want to thank “my” Minister and “our” Mayor. Without their ongoing support and personal commitment to this initiative, the new broadcast centre would never have seen the light of day.

Over the past few years, you’ve all seen your public broadcaster transform to become more digital, get closer to Canadians and be at the heart of their conversations. When we launched our Strategy 2020, in 2014, we committed to doubling our digital reach to 18 million unique visits each month by 2020. Well, we’ve exceeded our goal, two and a half years ahead of time!

Today we are Canada’s number-one digital media company and a leading public broadcaster in the digital world. We find ourselves at the centre of what I perceive to be a Canadian cultural revival, both at home and for audiences around the world, and now openly supported by a bold vision from our Minister, as she invites us to build a “Creative Canada.”

And, soon, we’ll have a facility that reflects who we are.

Plus, Canadians will see themselves reflected there too and be able to make this open, modern, attractive and dynamic public space their own. A space where they can come to learn, meet up, debate, and be entertained. A vibrant space where culture and democracy will flourish.

I can’t wait to see this building. As the father of two young daughters, residents of this great city, and Canadian to the core, I can’t wait to explore this new space with you, to discover what the future Maison de Radio-Canada will mean for future generations.